Lighting fixture



18,1942. gLASPY 2,293,116 LIGHTING FiXTURE I Filed Aug. 24, 1940 2Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTOR.

BY Maw Aug. 18, .1942.

H. J. cL sPY LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Au 24, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

Patented Aug. 18, 1942 .Hugh J. Claspy, 'Monaca, Pa., assignor to The.Phoenix Glass Company, Monaca Pal, a corporation of West VirginiaApplication August 24, 1940, Serial No. 354,037

2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in lightingfixtures; more particularly to lighting fixtures and mountings thereforwhich employ fluorescent lamps.

Fluorescent lighting has in the main been confined to the use of tubularshaped fluorescent lamps on walls by mounting them on brackets whichemploy the necessary electrical equipment for connecting the lamps inthe power -circuit. Attempts have also beenmade to produce indirectlighting effects by mounting the tubular flourescent lamps in gutters,so-called, whereby the direct light is shut-off from visibility.

It is an object of this invention to employ fluorescent lamp tubes fordirect lighting in ceiling fixtures or the like by utilizing sectionalglass housings which totally enclose the fluorescent lamp, the essentialmounting, and the electrical equipment.

The invention will become more apparent from a consideration of theaccompanying drawings constituting a part hereof in which like referencecharacters designate like parts and in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view partially in cross-section of aceiling lighting fixture embodying the principles of this invention;

Fig. 2 a bottom plan view thereof partially in cross-section;

Fig. 3 an end elevational view of the fixture of Figs. 1 and 2 with oneof the glass housings removed;

Fig. 4 an end elevational view with the glass fixture partially brokenaway;

Fig. 5 a front elevational view of a modified form of fixture; and

Fig. 6 a top plan view of the fixture shown in Fig. 5.

With reference to the structures shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of thedrawings, numeral I designates an ornamental plate which is attached tothe ceiling for supporting the fixture, or the fixture may be supportedby the tubes 2 directly attached to a mounting bracket, (not shown),recessed in the ceiling so that the plate I constitutes merely anornamental cover.

The conduits 2 possess the necessary strength and rigidity to supportthe fixture which in the structure of the drawings includes a cast ring3 with flanges 4; the ring is of T-shape cross-section and is joined tothe supporting conduits 2 by threaded ends 5 or in any suitable manner.A channel 6 is secured to ring 3 by an attachment comprising a pair ofchannels 1 having their flanges 8 bolted to the ring 3, as shown in Fig.3, the channel 6 carrying the ballast designated by the numeral 9 whichincludes the electrical wiring elements. Cross members I0, Fig. 2, areconnected to the ends of the channel elements 1 and are equipped withterminals for mounting fluorescent lamps II, two of which are employedin the fixtures of Figs. 1 to 4. Stud screws l2 are secured to the endbrackets ID for receiving thumb nuts [3 by which the glass fixtures I4are attached. The glass fixtures at their large end are of the shape andsize of the flanged portion 4 of ring 3 and are seated in the shouldersformed by the flanges and held in place by the thumb nuts [3, the glassfixtures being provided with a perforation to pass over the end screwsl2.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the glass fixture isconstituted of four sections designated by the numerals I5, l6, l1 andI8 and utilizes three fluorescent lamps instead of two. The glassfixtures are mounted in the same manner as the sectional glass fixturesof Figs. 1 to 4 in that the sections l6 and I1 seat in a flanged ring l9and flanged rings 20 and 2| are provided to fit over the ends of theglass sections l6 and H. The end sections l5 and I8 are then seated inthe flanged shoulders of rings 20 and 2| and the assembled glassfixtures are secured in place by the end nuts 22 in the same manner asthe fixture of Fig. 1.

By means of the sectional construction and mounting of the glassfixtures, the fluorescent lamp mounting is readily accessible forcleaning or repairs. By simply unscrewing the thumb nuts I3, the glassfixture sections can be slipped from their mounting, and even though thethumb nuts l3 are accidentally removed or their replacement isforgotten, the glass fixture portion will not fall from its mounting.

The fluorescent lamps are electrically connected by conductors extendingthrough the conduits 2 from a connection in the ceiling, the electricalconnections for the fluorescent lamps being through the end terminalplugs 23, all of the connecting conduits extending through the chan nel6 and have been hereinbefore designated ballast.

It is apparent that the construction of fluorescent lamp fixtures hereindisclosed lends itself to the production of a great many ornamental anduseful designs of a streamlined and modernistic effect that adapts themfor use with modernistic architecture and decoration in both home andoffice. It makes use of the desirable illuminating qualities offluorescent lighting without exposing the lamp elements or theirmounting supports.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been hereinillustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various modifications may be made in the details ofconstruction without departing from the principles herein set forth.

I claim:

1. A lighting fixture for fluorescent lamps comprising a rigidsupporting column, a flanged bracket attached-to said column, a channelmember secured to said bracket and having terminal ends for mountingtubular fluorescent lamps substantially in a horizontal plane throughthe bracket, a ballast mounted within the channel, a sectional glassshade mounted on said bracket to enclose the lamps, channel and ballast;each section having its inner end complementary in shape with theflanged periphery of the bracket and means extending through the outerend of each of said glass sections and attached to the channel forfastening the sections to the bracket.

2. A lighting fixture for fluorescent lamps comprising a rigidsupporting column, a flanged bracket attached to said column, a ballastsupport secured to said bracket and having terminal ends for mountingtubular fluorescent lamps substantially in a horizontal plane, a ballastmounted Within the support, a sectional glass shade mounted on saidbracket to enclose the lamps, support and ballast; each section havingan end of the shape to seat in the flanged bracket for abutment againstsaid bracket and means extending through the outer end of each of saidglass sections and attached to the support for fastening the sections tothe bracket.

HUGH J. CLASPY.

